Valve has transformed gaming on Linux with Proton, a translation layer used by the company's SteamOS and gaming handhelds. The suite of tools is also available for all Linux-based distros and can be managed through the Steam storefront. Before Proton, one had to install and configure WINE, attempt to install games, and hope for the best. It was clunky, sometimes slow, and not user-friendly for the less tech-savvy. Enter Proton with its glorious Steam integration and Linux gaming has never been healthier. The question is: which distro should you use?
Every Linux distro is a good pick for gaming, but here are three I'd recommend (and use myself for playing various PC titles).
3 Ubuntu
The most popular distro
You'll find Ubuntu mentioned in almost every list rounding up the best distros for something. That's because it's a solid distro for multiple tasks, gaming included. Based on Debian, this OS is used as the foundation for a few other distros, including Linux Mint and Pop!_OS. You'll find support for most hardware included with the kernel and all other additional software that can be installed on Ubuntu. You also have the choice of using long-term support versions of the OS or more recent upgrades.
The best part of using Ubuntu is the expansive community. There's a guide for, answer to, or forum thread on just about every question you could come up with. Installing Ubuntu is painless, so too is configuring Steam and any other launchers you plan on using. Like other distros, you can customize GNOME and other versions of Ubuntu to your liking, taking advantage of the versatile nature of Linux and its multiple interconnecting layers.
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2 Pop!_OS
Built for gamers
Pop!_OS may not be an old kid on the block, but it certainly has much going for the distro for gaming. This OS rocks the latest drivers from both AMD and Nvidia as standard, as well as many of the available game launchers that support Linux, including Steam. It's so easy to set up and start playing in a matter of minutes. The team isn't stopping there, however. COSMIC is slowly replacing the tried and tested desktop environment (DE) GNOME.
This change alone should provide the Pop!_OS team with more ways to introduce new code and features, as well as refine the OS as a whole for heavier workloads such as gaming. For an OS designed for creators and STEM, you know you're going to have a good time enjoying all your favorite PC titles. Pop!_OS is built on Ubuntu, based on Debian, which is on top of the Linux kernel. It's lightweight, powerful, and community-driven with a focus on performance.
It also helps that Pop!_OS is incredibly easy to use, even for beginners.
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1 Arch Linux
For the gaming pros
This is a barebones Linux distro with nothing by the CLI. If you're feeling brave, you can configure one of the many available desktop environments, ranging from GNOME to a windows manager such as Hyprland. Depending on how you wish to interact with data displayed on-screen, Arch Linux has a solid foundation for allowing you to paint anything you can conjure up on this blank canvas. It is slightly harder than other distros to set up and will require additional time, but you'll feel considerably more accomplished.
An additional benefit of Arch is the lack of any long-term updates. You'll always be running the latest version of the OS, so long as you stay on top of package updates. This is one of the reasons why Valve selected the OS as the foundation for its Steam Deck and SteamOS platform. Gone are the days of waiting for Windows Update to complete or trying and time it right when you're not using your PC for anything important. It's also better than other Linux-based distros that also have major releases.
Install the most recent Nvidia or Mesa drivers and you'll be good to go with Steam and Proton.
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It's worth reiterating that gaming on most Linux distros is brilliant and you won't be able to tell much difference between them, so long as you're using the same drivers and aren't running much in the background. Some distros will be optimized for tasks such as gaming, including Pop!_OS while others like Arch Linux will be incredibly lightweight but require extensive customization. Even selecting Ubuntu or Linux Mint will provide a stable, reliable, and enjoyable gaming experience.
So long as you have the most recent drivers and use Steam and Proton, you can enjoy a similar performance to Windows. I've even seen some games run better on Linux (native or through translation layers) than Windows 11, but your mileage will vary. Don't be afraid to try out a distro. You can hop between them and customize each one to your liking, depending on how much time you wish to spend setting up the OS for all your gaming sessions.